Britvic and AG Barr today confirmed their determination to work together to persuade the Competition Commission to give the green light to their proposed merger.

The deal, which was due to complete this month, lapsed last night after the Office of Fair Trading issued a surprise decision to refer it to the Commission on fears that it could mean higher prices on some brands.

In a joint statement today, the two groups insisted the combination would “not result in a substantial lessening of competition” and they were confident they could persuade the Commission of their case.